ST. LOUIS, MO - A St. Louis highway project was selected as one of 10 national finalists in the 2012 America's Transportation Awards competition. A panel of national transportation experts picked the Missouri Department of Transportation's Interstate 270 Dorsett-Page project from 49 entries representing 34 states in the categories of on-time, under budget, innovative management and best recovery act.

According to John Horsley, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), "The awards honor the best projects in the country and this project is truly deserving of this recognition." The awards are co-sponsored by AASHTO, AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

MoDOT redesigned and reconstructed three roadway projects under one contract in St. Louis, all of which reduced congestion for drivers. The project was completed more than a month ahead of schedule and almost $2.4 million under the estimated $34.8 budget.

"This project improved the daily commute for thousands of St. Louisans by eliminating backups in busy interchanges," said MoDOT Director Kevin Keith. "But more importantly, fewer traffic crashes occurred there this year."

The 10 transportation projects now compete for the America's Transportation Awards' Grand Prize, selected by a panel of judges. A People's Choice Award will be decided through online voting. Voting began Monday, September 10 and continues through Friday, October 19 at www.americastransportationaward.org. Those interested are welcome to vote up to 10 times per day for their favorite projects. The two awards will be presented November 18 at the AASHTO Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh. Winners of both the Grand Prize and the People's Choice Award will be awarded $10,000 each, which must be donated to a charity or scholarship of the state DOT's choice.